American Le Mans Series

In 2008, the American Le Mans Series is celebrating its
10th season of world-class sports car racing and bringing
the magic and mystique of Le Mans to North America.
The vision Series founder Dr. Don Panoz had of creating
the world’s premier road-racing body took shape in 1997
and became a reality with the running of the first Petit Le
Mans in October of 1998 at Road Atlanta. Five months
later in March of 1999, the American Le Mans Series
dropped the green flag at the 12 Hours of Sebring with
the factory BMW trio of JJ Lehto, Tom Kristensen and
Jörg Muller taking the victory.
Nine years, 88 races later and as the 10th season begins,
the American Le Mans Series has fulfilled Panoz’s
dreams with a mix of the world’s premier manufacturers
and leading independent teams. Since that first
event 41 different chassis manufacturers, 30 engine
manufacturers, 184 entrants and 717 separate drivers
have competed in the Series.
The American Le Mans Series holds races on the most
prominent permanent road courses and top urban
temporary street circuits in North America and around
the world. Twenty-three venues in five countries have
played host to the American Le Mans Series since 1999
with four holding events each year since the Series’
inception: Sebring International Raceway, Mosport
International Raceway, Road Atlanta and Mazda
Raceway Laguna Seca.
The greatest names in motorsport have tested their
skills in the American Le Mans Series. Names like
Beretta, Brabham, Kristensen and McNish fill the talent
roster alongside the top manufacturers in the world.
Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Corvette, Dodge,
Ferrari, Mazda, Panoz, Porsche and Saleen are among
those marques to have tasted victory in the Series, as
have teams the caliber of Andretti Green Racing, Audi
Sport North America, Corvette Racing, Penske Racing
and Prodrive.
Those examples, plus many others, display the heritage
and history that is the American Le Mans Series. The
best part, though, is that history is still being written.